The Citizen reports that the Auburn City Council and Siemens Inc. are looking into ways to reduce the city's energy costs.

One recommendation is to repair the 40-year-old Mill Street Dam on the Owasco River, which has been dormant since 2004.

In the past, the dam could only work when the river's flow was strong enough to turn the turbine, about 70 percent of the year. New turbines would enable the dam to generate more power and operate at lower flows.

The project is estimated to cost $2 to 6 million. Auburn would reach a break-even point in 15 to 20 years and the updates would have an estimated lifespan of 50 to 75 years.

A complete project assessment and review should be completed in November.